Can social media hurt your DUI case?

On Behalf of | Feb 18, 2021 | dui defense |

In recent years, individuals have become more accustomed to posting their whereabouts on social media. From mundane and random thoughts to significant life events, many people are in the habit of connecting with friends, family and strangers alike through various social platforms. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a post to lead to future challenges.

Driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia is a serious offense that carries significant penalties. If convicted, individuals could be forced to struggle with consequences including fines, jail time, public service or the loss of driving privileges. It is wise to take steps to protect yourself while building a strong case for your defense – and that could mean staying quiet on social media.

It is not uncommon for people to immediately log in to their preferred social networking site and vent about what has just happened to them. Unfortunately, doing so after a DUI can work against them in the future in many ways, including:

  • Timeline posts: It might be easy for law enforcement and the criminal justice system to piece together the events of your day leading up to the DUI arrest. From pictures showing you engaging in fun activities with friends to posts about alcohol consumption, this might be used as evidence against you. Additionally, many status updates are time- and date-stamped.
  • Privacy settings: Even though you might take care to ensure your posts are private, they might still be seen by the public. If a tagged friend reposts the picture, it will now be seen by everyone connected to him or her. Similarly, if your tagged friend does not have the same privacy settings, the post might eventually become public.
  • Deletion or removal: Even if you later think better of it and delete the posts, they can still be retrieved. Software exists that essentially takes snapshots of the Internet at fixed dates and times. Additionally, law enforcement might subpoena these once-deleted posts and use them to damage your defense. Similarly, the act of deleting the post might be used against you.

It is crucial that you act quickly to find the right defense attorney for your needs. From traffic violations to DUI charges, you will likely face a wide range of criminal consequences that could impact your future work or housing opportunities.